Guide to Selecting Outcome Measures

The following checklist is intended to provide a framework that guides clinicians in appraising and selecting appropriate outcome measures for their patients. [1][2]

Why Am I Using the Outcome Measure?[edit | edit source]

  • Identifying the impact of a disorder on an individual?
  • Establishing a baseline measure from which to monitor changes over time?
  • Evaluating the impact of an intervention?
  • Evaluating the needs of those attending a service?

What Am I Aiming to Measure?[edit | edit source]

  • Impairments of body structure and function?
  • Activity limitations?
  • Participation restrictions?
  • Quality of life?

Have the Psychometric Properties of this Tool Been Measured in a Population Similar to Mine?[edit | edit source]

  • Do the study samples have the same condition?
  • Is the study sample similar in disease severity?
  • Is the study sample similar in disease-specific factors?

Has the Outcome Measure been Studied and Reported Appropriately?[edit | edit source]

  • Is the purpose of the study clearly defined and focused on examining one or more psychometric properties?
  • Is the instrument adequately described and there is a standardised protocol for administration and scoring?
  • Have the examiners / testers been appropriately trained?
  • Were the data collected on an appropriate and adequate sample?

Is the Outcome Measure Reliable?[edit | edit source]

  • Do I know the rate of error detected with scores?
  • Do I know the minimum detectable change?
  • Does the measure capture clinical change?

Is the Outcome Measure Valid?[edit | edit source]

  • Does it measure what I want it to measure?
  • Does the measure make intrinsic sense? (face validity)
  • Does the measure sample the content / domain adequately? (content validity)
  • Is there evidence of comparison to other measures or samples? (construct validity)

Is the Outcome Measure Responsive to Change?[edit | edit source]

  • Is there a known minimum clinically important difference?

Financial Considerations[edit | edit source]

  • What is the cost of this test?
  • Is a licence required?
  • Is equipment required?

Therapist Implementation[edit | edit source]

  • Is the measure easy for a clinician to conduct?
  • Is special training required/available?
  • Are there clear standardised instructions on how to carry out and score the measure?
  • How long does it take to carry out the measure?
  • How long does it take to record results?

Resources[edit | edit source]

  • Is special equipment or are special forms required?
  • Is space sufficient for this measure to be carried out?

Client[edit | edit source]

  • How much time does it take for the person to complete?
  • Is the task difficult?
  • Is privacy required?

Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROM)[edit | edit source]

  • Is face-to-face contact required or can this measure be completed in the waiting room?
  • Does the questionnaire cover sensitive personal issues?
  • Is there a specific reading level required?
  • Is the measure available in other languages?

Resources[edit | edit source]

COSMIN - Improving the selection of outcome measure instruments in research and clinical practice.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Iansek R, & Morris ME (Eds.) (2013). Rehabilitation in movement disorders. Cambridge University Press.
  2. Jerosch-Herold C. An Evidence-Based Approach to Choosing Outcome Measures: A Checklist for the Critical Appraisal of Validity, Reliability and Responsiveness Studies. Br J Occup Ther 2005; 68(8):347-53.